Online MBA: Human Resource Management
Use Strategic HR Processes To Grow a Positive Company Culture
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Emphasis in Strategic Human Resource Management offered by Grand Canyon University guides you through core concepts in recruiting, nurturing and leveraging human capital. As a graduate degree candidate, you will be taught to apply sound theory and research to further organizational success. Offered by the Colangelo College of Business, this MBA is designed to challenge you in order to spark academic growth and professional development.
Help Employees Thrive at Work With HR
Human capital is invaluable for business success. Strategic human resource management is a proactive approach to developing talent. It aims to achieve long-term business objectives and meet organizational challenges. Strategic human resource management emphasizes the fostering of a positive and efficient company culture that embraces innovation.2
This MBA HRM emphasis degree teaches you how to manage important aspects of HR, including employee relations, talent acquisition, staff turnover and company benefits. You will be challenged to think critically about modern challenges in SHRM and how HR leaders can best support organizational goals and growth.
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Methods and Concepts of Strategic Human Resource Management
One human resource management emphasis includes coursework on general business principles, with a focus on human resource management. The broad curriculum explores competencies in everything from finance and economics to daily business operations to the use of HR as a competitive advantage in the corporate landscape.
Some of the course topics you will cover include:
- The use of HR management as a business strategy
- Human capital
- Methods and concepts of strategic management
- Leadership within organizations
- Managing operations
Examine Specialized Business Skills for HR Management
During this program, you will have opportunities to acquire an in-depth understanding of the strategic human resource management process and how HR practices support the overall vision of an organization. As an MBA candidate, you will be taught skills and competencies such as:
- Quantitative methods of research
- Strategic application of research findings to inform business decisions
- Ethical decision making
- Principles of Christian servant leadership
- Critical analysis
This advanced degree program guides you in exploring core foundational knowledge of sound business principles, as well as specialized knowledge in strategic human resource management.
Some of the additional learning objectives include the following:
- Strategic management of human capital, including talent management, workforce diversity, employee development and motivation, succession planning and performance matrix
- The complexities of human resource management amidst mergers, acquisitions, downsizing and globalization
- E-commerce applications, emerging technologies and telecommunications
- Sound business practices across the areas of accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing
The curriculum for this MBA HR emphasis is aligned with the standards and core competencies outlined by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Explore HR Careers After Graduation
Strategic human resource management is widely recognized by corporations and public agencies as being integral for long-term achievements. Graduates will have been taught an in-depth understanding of how to align the responsibilities of human resources with departmental and organizational objectives. Some of the career opportunities that may be related to this degree include:
- Human resources manager
- Training and development manager
- Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist
- Human resources specialist
- Training and development manager
- Administrative services manager
Human resources managers can work across all types of industries and sectors, including government agencies, healthcare organizations, manufacturing companies and others.3
Earn Your MBA HRM Emphasis From an Accredited University
The Colangelo College of Business includes core programs that have achieved additional accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). In addition to a range of other degree programs, this MBA with an Emphasis in Strategic Human Resources Management maintains accreditation from ACBSP.
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university — a reflection of our dedication to academic quality. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Elevate organizational goals through transformative HR practices.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers.
2 Price, J. (2023, Feb. 8). Why HR is Key To Executive Success: How The Human Resources Function Impacts Business Growth. Forbes. Retrieved Sept. 17, 2024.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Human Resources Managers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 17, 2024.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Human Resources Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Sept. 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as human resources managers, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
Fundamentals
Fundamental courses prepare students for the curricular content they will encounter within this MBA program. Upon evaluation of their transcripts, students with business-oriented undergraduate degrees may waive all MBA fundamental courses. All students will undergo transcript evaluations. If they have earned grades of C or better in equivalent course content, students with non-business undergraduate degrees may have the option to waive one or more of the following fundamental courses associated with their chosen MBA program.
Course Description
This course is designed for students who are preparing for more advanced coursework in business but who have not had accounting in undergraduate work. Topics covered include the principles and practices of financial accounting, including the fundamentals of revenue recognition, the components of the balance sheet, and financial statement analysis. ?The course explores accounting theories using publicly traded companies and case studies.
Course Description
This course is designed for individuals who are preparing for more advanced coursework in accounting and is designed for students who have not had finance in undergraduate work. Topics covered include financial analysis, financial planning, asset evaluation, capital structure, and working capital management.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students in mathematical, probability, and statistical concepts for their upcoming studies in quantitative methods. The course is intended for those students who have not had any prior statistical education, although students who have had statistics should also consider taking the course as a refresher.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Business. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the College of Business, key concepts of leadership, and an overview of how the science of organizational behavior contributes to effective leaders and managers.
Course Description
This course introduces microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts that are relevant to contemporary business. Emphasis is placed on using economic data for business decision-making.
Course Description
This course is a study in the quantitative tools and techniques used to model business functions and applications. Emphasis is placed on how to set up models, and how to interpret and apply their results. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.
Course Description
This course covers managerial accounting concepts and procedures for internal reporting, including the study of cost behavior, cost systems, budgeting, and performance evaluation. Coursework includes case studies, group projects, and class discussion. Prerequisite: ACC-502.
Course Description
Operations Management examines managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on methods to streamline and drive inefficiencies out of a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization. The course also focuses on external processes by examining ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
This course discusses elements of business financial decisions, including financial forecasting and development of proformas, management of working capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and raising funds in capital markets. Prerequisite: FIN-504.
Course Description
This capstone course focuses on preparing and conducting a strategic analysis of a selected publicly traded firm to produce actionable intelligence used to formulate recommendations to promote the creation of a value-adding strategy. Based on the results of their strategic analysis, students are then required to prepare the framework of a strategic plan that creates significant value for the selected firm. Prerequisites: MGT-605, MKT-607, ACC-650, and FIN-650.
Course Description
The effective strategic management of human capital is the differentiator of every successful organization. This course examines talent management, workforce diversity, succession planning, employee development and motivation, and performance matrix. This course addresses human resource competencies identified by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Using the strong strategic human resource acumen provided by this course, students will be well-prepared for positions as senior human resources specialists or as general managers.
Course Description
Frequent mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, and globalization have increased the complexities of managing human resources. Linking human resource management to the bottom line and decision making is critical for both strategy and business success. This course addresses human resource competencies identified by the Society of HR Management (SHRM). Using the strong strategic HR acumen provided by this course, students will be well-prepared for positions as senior human resources specialists or as general managers.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.